Which locksmith yews to choose?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Even such a seemingly simple technological process as cutting off a piece of steel angle to the exact size requires the use of special tools. For convenient fixation and further machining of various parts, metalwork yews are used (a more common and familiar name in everyday life: a vice). The market now offers a wide variety of models of these useful and sometimes irreplaceable devices from various manufacturers.

Purpose and device

Regardless of size and modification, all vices have one purpose - to fix the part in a position convenient for processing. The main parts of any vise are:

• body with fasteners;
• clamping device, consisting of two parts, between which the workpiece is fixed;
• worm (screw) mechanism with which clamping is carried out.

The body parts of locksmith yews are made of cast iron (SCH20, SCH25, SCH30) and steel (45 and 45L), steel (45) is used to make the lead screw.

Varieties

For locksmith yews GOST 4045-75, which entered into force in 1977,provided for only three varieties of these technical devices:

• general purpose;
• with swivel jaws;
• with additional jaws for fixing pipes.

However, over the past decades, manufacturers have significantly expanded the range of such devices for both domestic and professional use. For example, the rotation of the clamped part for some models of vise can be carried out in several planes.

According to the method of use, the vise is divided into:

• hand-held devices that are held in hands with a part clamped in them;
• stationary fixtures that attach to a workbench or desktop.

Sizes

Among the main geometric dimensions of locksmith yews, there are three most important ones:

• The value of the maximum extension of the jaws. The maximum thickness of the part that can be fixed in a vice directly depends on this indicator. For large locksmith yews with a fixed mount, this figure can reach 250 mm.
• The width of the jaws. The reliability of fastening the part will depend on this value. For manual fixtures, this characteristic does not exceed 50 mm, for stationary fixtures - 200-250 mm.
• Clamp height - the distance from the horizontal center of the jaws to the central stop. The higher its value, the larger the dimensions of the workpieces that can be securely fixed. Depending on the model and dimensions of the vise, this indicator ranges from 65-75 mm (for vise withscrew fastening) up to 150 mm (for stationary devices).

Hand vise

Manual bench vise - the simplest and cheapest type of fixture of this type. Structurally, they consist of two halves fastened with a hairpin; a crimping screw with a thumb and a return spring that opens the halves when the bolt is unscrewed. They are used when the workpiece is not very convenient to hold in your hands. For safety reasons, it is useful to use such a device, for example, when working on an electric grinder, when you need to sharpen a part without injuring your hands. The thickness of the part that can be clamped in such a device, as a rule, does not exceed 50 mm. The price is low and is in the range of 400-500 rubles.

Methods of attaching to the desktop

According to the method of attachment to the desktop (or workbench), the vise is produced in two varieties:

• using a screw mechanism;
• hard fastening with bolts.

The first category is quite versatile and allows you to easily install the device only for the duration of the plumbing work. Convenient and easy dismantling of the fixture allows you to quickly free up space on the desktop when there is no need for a vise. The main disadvantages of these models are:

• limited clamping thickness (usually no more than 100 mm);
• small jaw width (up to 75 mm).

Fixed worktop vise comes in a variety of sizes. The range of prices for such devices is quite large. So massive metalwork yews with 200 mm Stayer Standard sponges cost about 5,300 rubles, and a similar model "Zubr Expert" (made according to all the requirements of GOST 26358) costs 11,200 rubles.

Swivel vise

Vise models that have a rotary device are very convenient for all kinds of plumbing work. The angle of rotation of the clamped part is 360˚. Therefore, for example, to cut a workpiece at an angle, it is enough to loosen the turntable lock, turn it to the required angle, and crimp the locking device again.

The most popular yew locksmith turning 150 mm. The lineup is quite wide. So the vice of this modification from FIT can be purchased for 3300-3400 rubles. And the "Heavy Duty 150 mm" model from Wilton will cost 6800-7300 rubles.

Some manufacturers produce vise with the ability to change the position of the fixed workpiece in two or three planes. Typically, such devices are used in precision work and in the manufacture of complex small parts. The size of the jaws of such devices usually does not exceed 75 mm.

Pipe Vise

A specific type of metalwork vise - special devices into which round pipes can be clamped for further processing. For domestic use, two types of pipe vise are used:

with sponge crimping mechanism (for working with pipes up to 90 mm in diameter);

with chain clamping mechanism to hold pipes up to Ø 165mm

What to look for when choosing

How to choose a metalwork yew, and what are the main points to consider:

• Setting method. If you have a special room for the production of locksmith work (garage, shed in the country or workshop), then a vise with a fixed mount to a workbench is quite suitable for you. Well, if you intend to use the device from time to time, and there is no place for its permanent installation, then it is most advisable to purchase a vice with a screw mount.
• The size of the parts you plan to process. The choice of such technical characteristics of the vise as the amount of expansion of the clamping jaws, their width and clamping height directly depends on their size.
• Versatility of the device. Now on the construction market you can easily purchase a product that allows you to clamp both flat parts and pipes. For example, the universal model "Pratik" from Wilton (with a 180˚ rotary device, jaw size 115 mm, flow rate 75 mm), with built-in pipe clamping jaws, costs 2500-2800 rubles.

• Possibility to install interchangeable jaws. If you plan to work with materials of different hardness, then this option will be very useful to you. For example, by installing sponges made of polymer plastic, you can process wooden workpieces in them without the risk of damaging the edges.
• The presence of an anvil. Pretty comfortablea fixture found on many vise models. However, it must be used very carefully, as cast iron does not tolerate shock loads.

In closing

The choice of metalwork yew today is very wide both in size and purpose, and in price. If you plan to use this device only for short-term plumbing work, for example, in the process of repairing an apartment, then it is enough to purchase an inexpensive model. For operations on a regular basis, it is better to purchase a reliable and durable product from a time-tested manufacturer. Although such a device will cost quite a lot, you can be sure of its reliability and durability.